This group of Rio Rancho Players seemingly enjoyed the work and results of “A Little Piece of Heaven,” staged earlier this year. The group is always seeking more volunteers, and not just “on stage,” but behind the scenes. (Herron photo)
The wonderful thing about theater is that there is always another curtain rising somewhere…sometime!
And the curtain is preparing to rise a second season for the Rio Rancho Players Community Theatre group.
Following a highly successful first season, which included the close to sold-out productions of “Our Town” and “A Little Piece of Heaven,” the Players have begun rehearsals for their season-opening production of John Cariani’s off-Broadway hit, “Almost, Maine.”
“Almost, Maine” is scheduled for nine performances, opening Friday, Oct. 28, and running for three consecutive weekends, with six evening performances at 7:30 p.m. and three 2 p.m. matinees.
The romantic comedy comprises nine short plays that explore love and loss and somewhere in between, in a remote, mythical almost-town called Almost on the northern border of Maine and Canada. It premiered at the Portland State Company in Portland, Maine, in 2004, when it broke box office records and garnered critical acclaim. It moved to off-Broadway, where it ran with much success for over a year.
Rio Rancho Players are presenting the first community theater performance of the play in New Mexico. The play has a cast and production team of close to 25 area residents, ranging in age from 16-60. It is being produced and directed by Mel Sussman, founder of the theater group.
The play will be performed at the Avix Performance Center, 4311 Sara Road, in the second-floor black box theater. Tickets can be purchased online at RR-CC.org or at either of the Players’ two remote Rio Rancho box office locations: Pet Food Gone Wild and Beast N’ Nuggets Doggie Day Care. Tickets can also be purchased at the theater box office one hour prior to curtain.
Thoroughly excited about its second season, Rio Rancho Players will also be offering the classic comedy-thriller farce “Arsenic and Old Lace” in April 2023.
